Salt Takes Center Stage in Chicken Producer's New Consumer Campaign

West Coast-based Foster Farms Reaffirms Commitment to Never Injecting Its
Fresh Chicken with Saltwater

LIVINGSTON, Calif., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- As leaders from the medical,
health and food industries gather today at an Institute of Medicine meeting to
explore strategies to reduce sodium in the American diet, West Coast poultry
company Foster Farms readies an awareness campaign highlighting its natural,
fresh chicken and reassuring consumers that the family-owned poultry company
has never, and will never, inject its fresh chicken with saltwater.

Beginning in April, the company will launch a consumer awareness campaign to
inform shoppers of the little known practice of some producers "plumping" - or
injecting - fresh chicken with unusable saltwater. "Plumping" costs consumers
in their health and their bottom line. The average serving of plumped chicken
contains more sodium than a large order of French fries or more than 25% of
the daily recommended allowance. Research shows that high sodium intake is
linked to many diseases, including high blood pressure and heart disease(1).
Consumers who purchase plumped chicken could pay up to $1.50 per package, or
more than $100 per year per household(2), on saltwater, alone.

Some chicken companies have been plumping chicken for years and labeling the
product "Natural." "There's nothing 'natural' about saltwater that consumers
are unknowingly paying for at chicken prices," said Ira Brill, Director of
Marketing and Advertising Services for Foster Farms. "We believe consumers
who purchase fresh chicken should get what they expect to pay for,
particularly in these tough economic times. We feel it's important to
continue our 70-year commitment to producing premium, all natural, fresh
poultry."

Foster Farms' new program, which involves television advertising, events,
online and out-of-home components, begins April 13 and will focus on
uncovering the practice of "plumping" fresh chicken with saltwater. The
company's web site at www.fosterfarms.com includes recipes and tips from the
company's nutritionist.

About Foster Farms
Since 1939, West Coast families have depended on Foster Farms for premium
quality chicken and turkey products. Family-owned and operated, the company
continues its legacy of excellence and commitment to quality established by
its founders, Max and Verda Foster. Foster Farms specializes in fresh, all
natural chicken and turkey products free of preservatives, additives or
injected sodium enhancers. Based in California's Central Valley, with ranches
also in the Pacific Northwest, the company's fresh chicken and turkey are
produced in or near each region served. Foster Farms also produces delicious
pre-marinated, ready-to-cook and fully cooked products that meet the quality
and convenience needs of today's home cooks, retailers, warehouse clubs and
foodservice customers. The company's commitment to excellence, honesty,
quality, service, and people is a source of great pride, and, a longtime
family tradition.

(1) UCSF "Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults" study, March
2009.
(2) Based on an average household size of 2.59 (US Census 2000), an
average chicken consumption of 86 lbs/capita per year (USDA), average
price for chicken breast at $3.33 (USDA) and up to 15% saltwater
content by weight.

SOURCE Foster Farms

Karmina Zafiro, +1-415-392-1000, kzafiro@finemanpr.com, for Foster Farms